Churachandpur, 30 June

At least four people, including a 72-year-old woman, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Monday, police said.

The ambush took place near Mongjang village around 2 pm when the victims were travelling in a car, a police officer said.

Mongjang is around 7 km from Churachandpur town.

Preliminary reports suggested that they were shot from a point-blank range, another official in the Churachandpur district headquarters said.

The deceased were identified as Thenkhothang Haokip alias Thahpi, 48, Seikhogin, 34, Lengouhao, 35, and Phalhing, 72, sources said.

More than 12 empty shells were recovered from the spot.

No organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Police and additional security forces have been rushed to the area.